I have a question when to start a new paragraph in first person writing.
First Paragraph: I talk about my observation.
Second Paragraph: I say what my friend says.
Should they be combined into one paragraph? I was confused because for the second paragraph I start with 'My friend commented, "..." '
Yes, you should start a new paragraph.
okay, thank you
You're welcome.
In first person writing, knowing when to start a new paragraph can help to organize your thoughts and make your writing clearer to the reader. The general rule is to start a new paragraph whenever there is a change in topic, speaker, or time.
In the example you provided, where you have two different ideas - your observations and your friend's comment - it is generally a good idea to start a new paragraph for each idea. This will help make the transition between the two ideas more explicit and easier for the reader to follow.
So, you can have:
First Paragraph: In this paragraph, you talk about your observations. This sets the stage for your main idea or argument.
Second Paragraph: Here, your friend's comment is a new idea or perspective. By starting a new paragraph, you make it clear that someone else is speaking and sharing their viewpoint.
Starting the second paragraph with "My friend commented, '...'" is a common way to distinguish your own voice from your friend's. It is grammatically correct, and it helps to indicate a change in speaker.
Remember, the key is to use paragraphs to clearly separate different ideas or perspectives. Breaking up your writing into smaller, focused paragraphs can make it more organized and easier to understand.